For Floyd

So I got to hit with my radical tonight... Poly was definitely the wrong choice for this frame. I also need to tail weight it because it feels a bit too HH for my liking. However, I found that if I time my strokes right and consistently find the sweetspot, I could hit a very heavy ball with decent control. I need more power though to be quite honest. Think the change in string would help?

The best part about this racket was the serve. Ohhhh my! Hahaha. I didn't double fault even once!

I need more power though to be quite honest. Think the change in string would help?

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I'm not Floyd, but here's my 2 cents; http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/HGINST/HGINSTreview.html This is a great frame - hits like an MG radical MP, but lots more pop. If something like 17 guage multi doesn't give you enough pop in the rad, this would do the trick. Full poly at 48 # gives plenty of pop in the 18 X 19 pattern.

I'm not Floyd, but here's my 2 cents; http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/HGINST/HGINSTreview.html This is a great frame - hits like an MG radical MP, but lots more pop. If something like 17 guage multi doesn't give you enough pop in the rad, this would do the trick. Full poly at 48 # gives plenty of pop in the 18 X 19 pattern.

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That's ok! Floyd was the person that convinced me to buy a pair and he wanted to know how I like them. I'm not quite sure if I like them or not though. They're actually a little too demanding for me at the moment. Mg instinct would be hard to find...

So I got to hit with my radical tonight... Poly was definitely the wrong choice for this frame. I also need to tail weight it because it feels a bit too HH for my liking. However, I found that if I time my strokes right and consistently find the sweetspot, I could hit a very heavy ball with decent control. I need more power though to be quite honest. Think the change in string would help?

The best part about this racket was the serve. Ohhhh my! Hahaha. I didn't double fault even once!

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Ok, man, I do have some thoughts. First, yeah, poly was a bad choice and I didn't want to sound like a broken record, but definitely think you should try gut on at least one of them. Crazy as it sounds, synth gut was also really nice on this racquet. I liked OGSM on it, really nice pop. Again, this is presuming you want to take a step back from top-spin focus.

Natural Gut will give you more pop than the Cyclone at stock specs. You could also restring at a lower tension (have no idea what tension you went with). If all else fails, you could also add lead to the top of the hoop or between 9 and 3 o'clock. The MGRMP is 11 oz strung, that gives you a ton to work with to find your right balance and needed pop. Beyond that, you could probably go fully silicone into the handle, get crazy feel in the process and still way less than the 200 Tour you were just testing. That's the great thing about this racquet, you can turn it into pretty much whatever you want.

That's ok! Floyd was the person that convinced me to buy a pair and he wanted to know how I like them. I'm not quite sure if I like them or not though. They're actually a little too demanding for me at the moment. Mg instinct would be hard to find...

I'm not sure if it was the racket or just me, but it was really hard to find the sweet spot and the power was really low. Strung @50lbs.

RE weighting, this definitely needs weight in the grip. I don't think I'll string gut man haha I just am scared to put that much money into strings. And, tbh, I'm not sure if I really like the head grip shape anymore ugh maybe I just suck at tennis and should give up lol.

I'm not sure if it was the racket or just me, but it was really hard to find the sweet spot and the power was really low. Strung @50lbs.

RE weighting, this definitely needs weight in the grip. I don't think I'll string gut man haha I just am scared to put that much money into strings. And, tbh, I'm not sure if I really like the head grip shape anymore ugh maybe I just suck at tennis and should give up lol.

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Oh and to answer your question, they were only slightly less demanding.

Just give the mg radical some time. It has a lot of control but you will then get used to it and then swing harder. I have two and love them. They allow me to go for my shots. A powerful string should help a lot too.

Oh and to answer your question, they were only slightly less demanding.

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Hmm, I just typed up a bunch of stuff and deleted it. Now I'm concerned that perhaps you are expecting this to play like a tempered pure drive or aeropro. Is that what you were hoping for?

If so, it never will. I mean, you can definitely dial in the right power combo with this frame, and keep weight very reasonable, but it's never going to be a 10.5 oz cannon. Again, adding some lead will definitely improve the power, as will the strings, but it's not going to be THAT much different. So, do you think you're pretty close or pretty far?

Just give the mg radical some time. It has a lot of control but you will then get used to it and then swing harder. I have two and love them. They allow me to go for my shots. A powerful string should help a lot too.

Hmm, I just typed up a bunch of stuff and deleted it. Now I'm concerned that perhaps you are expecting this to play like a tempered pure drive or aeropro. Is that what you were hoping for?

If so, it never will. I mean, you can definitely dial in the right power combo with this frame, and keep weight very reasonable, but it's never going to be a 10.5 oz cannon. Again, adding some lead will definitely improve the power, as will the strings, but it's not going to be THAT much different. So, do you think you're pretty close or pretty far?

Beyond that, did you like the feel?

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Loved the feel actually. Nice and flexy.

I think that I have been looking for rackets that are actually too demanding for me. Something with a much larger sweet spot would probably be beneficial. Idk man. This racket seemed to swallow me up tonight...

Re demanding, all of the above. I even tried to set up early and still managed to hit off center or launched the ball or framed it.

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Frankly, just sounds like you're not used to them. If you were striking cleanly and still not getting much pop, I think that would be more of a concern. Were you framing with the PD or APD, as those are only 2 sq.in. larger in terms of the stringbed?

Frankly, just sounds like you're not used to them. If you were striking cleanly and still not getting much pop, I think that would be more of a concern. Were you framing with the PD or APD, as those are only 2 sq.in. larger in terms of the stringbed?

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I was not framing much at all with those rackets, no. Btw really appreciate this as always.

I think it has something to do with the SW tbh! The ig prestige mp felt less demanding than the ig radical mp...

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Ok, then it's likely the balance. On average, the IGPMP is 310 SW and 337 grams. The MGRMP s 315 SW and only 312 grams. Despite the SW being 5 points higher, the static weight of the IGPMP should alone make it more cumbersome but for that 6 points HL balance. Not sure if you have access to lead, but some slight modifications should get the balance issue sorted and perhaps remedy the pop/sweetspot issue (although I think that's more to do with the strings).

Ok, then it's likely the balance. On average, the IGPMP is 310 SW and 337 grams. The MGRMP s 315 SW and only 312 grams. Despite the SW being 5 points higher, the static weight of the IGPMP should alone make it more cumbersome but for that 6 points HL balance. Not sure if you have access to lead, but some slight modifications should get the balance issue sorted and perhaps remedy the pop/sweetspot issue (although I think that's more to do with the strings).

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Alright. Next mods being performed: adding a couple over grips. If that doesn't work, idk what will

I think I'm just looking at rackets above my skill level actually. Just like jackb1, maybe I should take a look at some lighter rackets with a big sweet spot and slightly larger head? Like the blade 104.

I think I'm just looking at rackets above my skill level actually. Just like jackb1, maybe I should take a look at some lighter rackets with a big sweet spot and slightly larger head? Like the blade 104.

Spoken for truth. Tuesday ill try a lighter racket and see how it goes. I just realized that my favorite rackets I've ever used have been pretty light: ig instinct, bio 300T, igpmp felt really light to me, pd 2012.

Have you tried the HEAD Extreme Pro 2.0 or MP 2.0? I think you might find that you like one or both of those.

There are some "heavier" racquets that aren't as demanding as some that you've tried, IMO.

But, if you like lighter, I think the Volkl V1 MP would be worth a look. It gets great reviews, is 102 in and right around 11 oz strung. I believe it is Siobahn who loved that racquet in the playtest, and I believe she's the one who loves the Pure Drive.

Have you tried the HEAD Extreme Pro 2.0 or MP 2.0? I think you might find that you like one or both of those.

There are some "heavier" racquets that aren't as demanding as some that you've tried, IMO.

But, if you like lighter, I think the Volkl V1 MP would be worth a look. It gets great reviews, is 102 in and right around 11 oz strung. I believe it is Siobahn who loved that racquet in the playtest, and I believe she's the one who loves the Pure Drive.

Thanks spin. I just added 3grams of lead to the base along with an over grip to my rad. If that doesn't work, then I'm sending them back and demoing more. I will keep the extremes in mind as well as the volkl.

I highly recommend putting some lead at 3 and 9 along with the tail weighting to open up the sweet spot. This racket does play well with a multi in it. I prefer a multi or hybrid over a full poly set up in this racket. Tension will very on the power you can achieve on your own.

Thanks spin. I just added 3grams of lead to the base along with an over grip to my rad. If that doesn't work, then I'm sending them back and demoing more. I will keep the extremes in mind as well as the volkl.

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I love my V1 - you can counterpunch with it, and do not have to swing fast. My experience, light thin-beamed frames like the rad in stock form require a fast swing. This may be why the Prestige seemed easier to play with for you. I remember the i.Prestige series, mid and mp, just overpowered the ball. Also, frames like the V1 with a thicker beam, do feel different, but even many pros play with what are called tweeners. Good luck with your mods, I know it can seem frustrating.

I love my V1 - you can counterpunch with it, and do not have to swing fast. My experience, light thin-beamed frames like the rad in stock form require a fast swing. This may be why the Prestige seemed easier to play with for you. I remember the i.Prestige series, mid and mp, just overpowered the ball. Also, frames like the V1 with a thicker beam, do feel different, but even many pros play with what are called tweeners. Good luck with your mods, I know it can seem frustrating.

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Thanks jack. I think you're onto something here. I'm probably not as good as I thought, and require a more forgiving and easy swinging racket.

Thanks jack. I think you're onto something here. I'm probably not as good as I thought, and require a more forgiving and easy swinging racket.

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Just return it and get a Pure Drive; you can pick up the GT for less than $100 a pop. It may not be very popular on here, but there is a reason why it's so popular in the real world. Forget the anti-babolat snobs on here and just enjoy your tennis.

Just return it and get a Pure Drive; you can pick up the GT for less than $100 a pop. It may not be very popular on here, but there is a reason why it's so popular in the real world. Forget the anti-babolat snobs on here and just enjoy your tennis.

At least you bought racquets that modify extremely well. I would buy a leather grip, over grip and start with just a little lead at 10 and 2.
Also, since this is not a power racquet, it plays well with a multi or when I played with them I had a mid level gut in the mains and a soft poly in hte crosses.

Haha, no way man, it's just that you have drank from the cup of Babolat and there is no turning back. If you remember, I thought your best bet was the pure drive GT, especially at that price.

You can definitely increase the power here, but it'll never be a pure drive. I think that's what your shrouding your comments in; not that the MG is a particularly hard racquet to use, but that the pure drive is just so darn easy to use.

At least you bought racquets that modify extremely well. I would buy a leather grip, over grip and start with just a little lead at 10 and 2.
Also, since this is not a power racquet, it plays well with a multi or when I played with them I had a mid level gut in the mains and a soft poly in hte crosses.

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320 is the highest SW that I want at the moment, but I have put 3 grams of lead at the base of the base grip and wrapped an OG over it. Essentially 10 grams. Hopefully that works.

Haha, no way man, it's just that you have drank from the cup of Babolat and there is no turning back. If you remember, I thought your best bet was the pure drive GT, especially at that price.

You can definitely increase the power here, but it'll never be a pure drive. I think that's what your shrouding your comments in; not that the MG is a particularly hard racquet to use, but that the pure drive is just so darn easy to use.

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Haha yeah you're probably right. I enjoy easy power and spin. I actually feel a slight twinge in my arm today...not a good sign. That tells you how many times I shanked a ball or hit off center last night lol...

I'll hopefully play again tomorrow, and if I don't like the mg, I gotta send both of em back. I won't get my 100% back though which is the bad part.

Haha yeah you're probably right. I enjoy easy power and spin. I actually feel a slight twinge in my arm today...not a good sign. That tells you how many times I shanked a ball or hit off center last night lol...

I'll hopefully play again tomorrow, and if I don't like the mg, I gotta send both of em back. I won't get my 100% back though which is the bad part.

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Please tell me you didn't remove the wrapper from the handle on the second one! They should treat it as brand new even if strung, so long as the plastic is still on it.

Twinge in the arm from the MG? Wow, that gives me some concern with the PD; hopefully it was just from framing it! Nonetheless, hope the seas part for you tomorrow and you find your racquet match!

It sounds like you bought 2 new racquets (having never played with them), all on the advice of a stranger on the TT forums, took the plastic wrap off BOTH sticks, and can't play with them......but I know THAT can't be true.....

It sounds like you bought 2 new racquets (having never played with them), all on the advice of a stranger on the TT forums, took the plastic wrap off BOTH sticks, and can't play with them......but I know THAT can't be true.....

Luckily, this very forum has a section for such unwanted sticks

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Come on, be cool. It's not like he posted absolutely ridiculous self-made music videos of Bruno Mars covers on you tube! I mean, that really couldn't be true either right? :shock:

Come on, be cool. It's not like he posted absolutely ridiculous self-made music videos of Bruno Mars covers on you tube! I mean, that really couldn't be true either right? :shock:

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hahaha i'm still dying over this....you do realize this means that at some point, you literally TYPED my screen name in some kind of search box with the purpose of finding something you can hang your hat on...and the best you could do was a (very well done) cover of a pop song? Cmon dude...

I will say this though...you're VERY good at searching for TT screen names on youtube and wasting your friends' money. That you're VERY good at lol

hahaha i'm still dying over this....you do realize this means that at some point, you literally TYPED my screen name in some kind of search box with the purpose of finding something you can hang your hat on...and the best you could do was a (very well done) cover of a pop song? Cmon dude...

I will say this though...you're VERY good at searching for TT screen names on youtube and wasting your friends' money. That you're VERY good at lol

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Wasting my friends' money? Yes, a MG Radical MP is really an awful racquet and poor general recommendation for someone starting out and looking not to spend too much money on a racquet.

Hey, I didn't criticize. I think you did a great job, in fact you should probably post it on here.

Is it your point to be rude to others on here? It's pretty habitual for you.